Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

As a teenager, Ming fought valiantly to escape one of history’s darkest eras — China’s Cultural Revolution — during which millions of innocent youth were deported to remote areas to face a life sentence of poverty and hard labor. He eventually made his way to the U.S. with $50 in his pocket, where against all odds, he later earned a PhD in laser physics and graduated with the highest honors from Harvard Medical School and MIT. To date, Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 eye procedures including on over 4,000 physicians. He has published 9 textbooks, holds several U.S. patents, and performed the world’s first laser artificial cornea implantation. Dr. Wang is currently the only surgeon in the state who performs 3D SMILE and 3D LASIK (18+ ), 3D Implantable…

Puppy Power Forget reindeer! What better way to get in the holiday spirit than with some snuggly puppies? We had so much fun cuddling, chasing after, and getting puppy kisses from these sweet babies from Retrieving Independence. The Nashville-based nonprofit breeds, trains, and places service dogs with people who are living with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. Because these pups (we hosted nine in total—heaven!) are early in their training (and some have already been retired from the program), we were able to pet and play with them, unlike older service dogs who are on the clock and should not be interrupted. We are so grateful to RI for bringing these babies by and for everything they do to promote independence in those who may not otherwise have it. Read…

WADE BOWEN Twelve Twenty-Five Red Dirt raconteur Wade Bowen applies his gritty vocal charm to Christmastime classics on Twelve Twenty-Five, bringing some Texas tenderness to the holiday season. Cody Canada, Sean McConnell and Bowen’s two young sons guest on a laid-back set built for comfort. JOHN HIATT Only the Song Survives American roots maverick John Hiatt surveys his last two decades as a conduit for rock, folk, and the blues with an expansive box set, Only the Song Survives. Eleven albums of work are smartly packaged on 15 vinyl LPs, while a book features companion essays by the likes of Steve Earle. ENSEMBLE Big Band of Brothers: A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band Southern rock gets a metropolitan makeover with Big Band of Brothers: A Jazz Celebration of…

Situated on 3,000 acres in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Barnsley Resort was once home to British shipping magnate Godfrey Barnsley’s 19th century Italianate villa, “Woodlands.” Today the mansion’s hauntingly beautiful ruins and surrounding gardens are just one of many attractions on this sophisticated, yet laid-back North Georgia property. Whether you delve into history, relax at the spa, savor the flavors of the region, or connect with the great outdoors, the holidays are a magical time to discover everything this charming resort has to offer. Get up and go Grab a picnic table near one of the fire pits in the Beer Garden, and start the day off in true Southern style with a crumbly, buttermilk biscuit stacked with scrambled eggs and thick-sliced bacon. Then get warmed…

On Friday, October 25, the 15th annual Franklin Wine Festival, presented by Cool Springs Wines & Spirits, and supported by Nissan, raised over $250,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. To date, the annual event has raised over $2.25 million for the charity. More than 1,500 festival guests enjoyed 300 world-class vintages paired with offerings from 30 top local restaurants for a one-of-a-kind evening. In addition to amazing wines and incredible food, guests enjoyed live entertainment, local and regional beer tastings, a Bubble and Whiskey Lounge, plus a silent auction and fundraising competition.…

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…and I love it! This is the second year that we’ve partnered with Living With Landyn’s Landyn Hutchinson to produce her Favorite Things event. By the time you’ve read this, the event will likely be done, but let me tell you it was (and will be) amazing. Once a year I get to feel like Oprah making dreams come true, but more importantly, making wishes come true. This year’s tickets sold out in under five minutes, and we raised enough money to grant a dozen wishes for Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee. I want to thank everyone involved for making it a huge success and raising money for a cause near and dear to me. Also, I want you to know about another…

12-22 JURASSIC WORLD LIVE TOUR A dino-sized family entertainment experience is coming to Bridgestone Arena. The Jurassic World Live Tour is coming to Bridgestone Arena to excite and entertain fans of all ages from December 19 through 22. With unrivaled production quality, the thrills of Jurassic World come to life against a backdrop of captivating scenery. This live production will include more than 24 film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs including fan-favorites like the Velociraptor Blue and a 40-foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex operated by animatronics and performers. Projection and scenery, combined with Jurassic World’s iconic score, transport audiences from Bridgestone Arena straight into the jungles of Isla Nublar. With pulse-pounding stunts and an authentic storyline, Jurassic World Live creates memories for generations of fans sure to last another 65 million years. (jurassicworldlivetour.com) —Nicole Brown 1-31…

After 18 years in the spotlight–both as a dyed-in-the-wool country star and a wise-cracking TV personality–Blake Shelton has lived nearly half his life as an open book. Now with his Fully Loaded: God’s Country greatest hits album (out December 13), the Oklahoma native looks back over the last few chapters–and starts a brand new one. But this time last year, he was pretty sure the story was wrapping up. “I thought I was on the last couple of pages,” he says with an instantly disarming laugh. “That sounds dumb to say… but you can feel it when it starts to not be as exciting as it was.” According to him, the album’s title track changed all that. A Platinum Number One (his 26th Billboard chart topper), Shelton says the song…

A IS FOR ACRYLIC STOCKING HOLDER Your stockings will be hung by the chimney with care…and pizazz. $75 (Fig & Dove, figanddove.com) B IS FOR BOUQUET Forget boring blooms, this year wow them with a new kind of floral arrangement: M FLEURS luxury rose boxes, including Le Diamant. The stunning clear keepsake box is made from diamond-cut acrylic, and the stems are custom colored in gold, silver, rose gold, or all black. $199 (M FLEURS, mfleursnashville.com) C IS FOR CANDLES You and your friends can cozy up and enjoy a delicious Bougie Bougie Chantilly Scented Candle, Bougie Laduree Josephine Scented Candle, Bougie Marie Antionette Scented Candle, or Bougie Brioche Scented Candle while binging on Christmas classics. $55 (Little Gourmond, littlegourmand.us) D IS FOR DAPPER Have a custom Christmas with custom-tailored…

A secret room, two master suites, a butler’s pantry and spectacular downtown views—it’s hard to pick a favorite amenity in the luxurious high-rise condo designed by real estate developer Dave Haverkamp. “The view out [of ] all those windows of Nashville was what sold me on the space,” says Haverkamp, who bought the property as the buying agent and collaborated with architect Michael Ward of Allard Ward Architects to bring his design ideas to life. Haverkamp, who started designing homes as a hobby about 12 years ago, transformed what was previously four condo units into one modern abode. The bright and spacious residence in the Gulch has clean lines infused with a mixture of textures and neutral colors. French white oak floors stretch across the entirety of the home, which…

A long and ever-growing waitlist of entrepreneurs needing commissary space prompted Citizen Incubator Kitchens founder Laura Wilson to reach out to the folks of Fresh Hospitality. Clearly the demand was greater than her west Nashville facility could meet, and both companies share a common goal: to help young, food-based businesses grow and flourish. They joined forces to create Hunters Station, an ambitious project that transformed Hunters Automotive at Main and South 10th Street into a fast-casual food hall built over a state-of-the-art kitchen commissary. Home to locally born food and beverage businesses, it is a testament to the ingenuity and collaborative spirit that defines our city. You can’t miss the bright white building with bold red letters across the front. Six separate eateries share the space, each on brand, with…

Your first bite of Gifford’s bacon will give you pause—thick, meaty, hickory-kissed, in a compelling dry cure of salt, brown sugar, and spices. It might be the best bacon you’ve ever eaten. My first bite was a tomato-bacon-egg sandwich at Little Mosko’s a few years back, and my immediate thought was, “Whoa. Move over Benton’s.” Area chefs had similar thoughts, too, as this made-in-Nashville delicacy has found its place on plates around the city. It’s a key ingredient of the green chile cheeseburger at Redheaded Stranger as well as a carbonara pizza at Lockeland Table; you’ll find it laced through the fried cauliflower dish at Hathorne, and simmered into Deacon’s New South’s shrimp and grits. Nathan Gifford, an Oklahoman who has been butchering and cooking meat most of his life,…

In an effort to connect more with the community of fans, Tennessee Titans recently hosted a pop-up shop at 6th & Peabody. The Pop-Up Shop was created to establish a brand affinity with the ever-growing millennial market in Nashville. As a “one night only event,” avid and casual fans attended to get access to buy exclusive merchandise. But the clothes weren't the only exciting part of the event. The venue offered beer, specialty cocktails, and a full concert featuring local bands LUTHI and Colony House. The Titans recognize the rare opportunity to capitalize on the excitement generated by the recent NFL Draft to grow the team's brand affinity among 21- to 35-year-olds in the Greater Nashville area, focusing on key cultural touchpoints that are important to that demographic: Music, fitness,…

Walk into Josephine in 12 South, and you’ll instantly pick up on its homey, welcoming energy. It radiates from the tufted banquettes, well-loved red rugs, and delicate chandeliers, and out from the bustling bar and kitchen just beyond. Culinary power couple chef Andy Little and his wife, Karen Van Guilder Little, infuse the space with comforting hospitality and thoughtful details. A meal here might start with a sturdy drink at the bar, followed by a menu that marries Pennsylvania Dutch with Southern cuisine, and closes with one of the restaurant’s show-stopping desserts. It’s no surprise that the Littles like to gather friends and family on their rare nights off, too. Usually their family get-togethers take place inside their cozy two-bedroom condo. When we asked the couple to put together their…

Karl and Sarah Worley, the team behind Biscuit Love, were staying in a tiny 14th-century village near Cortona, Italy, in 2018 when they were invited to endure a tasting of 22 pizzas. One slice of each. No two toppings alike. The next morning, while walking off the epic meal, epiphany struck. Pizza and biscuits actually have a few things in common: It all starts with great dough and once they’re on the table, they’re good at bringing people together. The concept for ‘za, a fast-casual pizza spot in Hillsboro Village, came together quickly from there. The couple looked around Nashville and noticed that while there are several stellar pizzamakers in town (Folk, City House, and Nicky’s come to mind), as well as a few decent spots to grab a slice,…

If you were looking for an unofficial cafeteria for Music Row, you’ll find it at the new Thai Esane. In its previous location on a quiet stretch of 12th Avenue South just outside of the Gulch, the Thai-Laotian spot drew a steady crowd of music industry execs. Now, with a move to the Element building on Demonbreun Hill, the restaurant has gotten closer to its people. “Every day, around 11 a.m., I see them coming down the Row,” says Nina Singto, the owner and chef behind Thai Esane. “And then, for that hour they’re all in here, it’s like a clubhouse.” Thai Esane’s closure in one space and reopening in another signaled not just easier access for a large part of its customer base—it also opened the doors to a…

On Thursday, October 17, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee honored seven trailblazing Women of Wonder at the 26th Annual Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award luncheon at the Music City Center’s Davidson Ballroom. Each year this prestigious award honors a person or persons who, like the late Joe Kraft, demonstrate a commitment to community, home and hearth, and individuals in need.…

On Monday, October 28, the Symphony Ball Late Party held its annual kickoff event at Josephine. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails courtesy of Kelly Gable, winner of the 2019 Spirits of Summer, and light bites provided by Josephine. The annual kickoff is a celebration of the Symphony Ball Late Party, which will take place on Saturday, December 14 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Symphony Ball Late Party is a late night celebration for the under 40 crowd and includes cocktails, the Harmony Award presentation and performance, and dancing. For more information visit nashvillesymphony.org/lateparty…